Carve My Pumpkin (The Night Realm: Halloween Marked #3)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

COLETTE

“Come on down, love!” Mateo called out to me.

My wings fluttered furiously but I couldn’t get enough of how high I could now go. The wind whipped by me. The world was dazzling below. I didn’t realize this was what I’d been missing all these years. But now that I wasn’t a fae failure, I was loving in everything being a fae had to offer, including flying.

“I’m coming.” I twirled around one more time and let myself drift back down to the ground.

Third Realm was even more amazing than I’d thought it would ever be. I’d taken to walking around here barefoot. The nature around us seemed to rise up to meet me. Flowers bloomed under my feet, forming a soft carpet that cushioned my every step. Mateo moved to walk next to me. There was a stillness about him that he never had before. These days he seemed so satisfied with life it was hard to get one difficult word out of him. He threw his arm over my shoulder and pulled me close to his side.

“That was impressive.” He gave me a little squeeze.

“I agree.” My mother wandered up to me and nodded. She spun in a circle with her eyes wide. “It is such a pleasure to see what this world has turned into.”

“What was it like?” I knew she didn’t like to talk about those times, but the more she did, the better she seemed to get.

“It was a cold hell, not so alive.”

Bash strolled up with Collins by his side. “Your mother isn’t wrong. It was pretty terrible.”

My mom wrapped her arms around herself and ran her hands up and down her arms. “It makes me feel alive to be here.”

“This is what we’re hoping for.” Collins smiled. “We want more fae to get comfortable eough to come here.”

“Hard to believe people will start to think of this as a punishment for bad behavior.” I laughed. “Feels like a vacation to me.”

Bash shook his head. “I’ve never thought of being here as a vacation. Megelle Island feels more like a vacation.”

"It’s a bit ironic. Bash was trapped here and it doesn’t feel like vacation, and you were stuck on the Island and this feels like a vacation. Maybe that’s good balance between you two.” Mateo offered.

Bash raised his eyebrows. “It would be nice to have someone to keep an eye on the realm while Collins and I handle some business.”

“I love it here.” I pressed my hand to my chest. “But I also love it back home.”

Mateo kept me close. “That’s the beauty of being an ambassador, you can always have a home base but be here helping the people here.”

My eyes widened and excitement ran through my body. This was too perfect. “You really want me to help you guys?”

Collins and Bash shared a look, then nodded. Bash motioned to the world around us. “I trust you.”

That meant a lot coming from him, and I wanted to do them proud. Working with the fae, helping the realm, taking time to learn more about myself and this place seemed perfect. I turned toward Mateo. “How did you know?”

“What? That this would be perfect for you? Come on, I told you that you are good at what you do. Now you can manage more than me, as you should. You’re amazing.” He pressed a kiss to the side of my head, and I loved the way he knew me.

He lifted his hand and glanced down at his watch. “But we do have to get back for tonight. I promised Constantine.”

Bash motioned toward the portal. “In that case, let’s get moving.”

I was always shocked by how easily the royals were able to move through the realms. One moment we were in Third Realm and the next we were heading toward the castle as peak speed. I held on to Mateo as I fluttered through the air, and when I landed in front of the castle, he staggered to the side and pressed his hand to his stomach. “I think I’ll run next time.”

Constantine was there in an instant. “You are late.”

“I’m sorry, Connie. We had some business to attend to.” Mateo gave him his best smile.

Constantine tossed a bag of goodies toward him. “Don’t care, you’re on duty at the front door.”

He turned toward me and gently handed me another bag. “You may join him.”

Before I could respond, he hurried away and I turned toward Mateo. “What was that?”

“Connie takes his trick or treating very seriously. He has my siblings all stationed around the castle. Not a single entrance is unmanned.” He gave me a quick kiss.

“Do not leave your station.” Constantine popped back up startling me.

“Do you know how creepy it is when you sneak up on people?” Mateo shook his head. “You gotta stop.”

“Why? It keeps you on your toes.” Constantine turned toward me. “You make sure he’s doing what he’s supposed to be doing. You’re family now, so you’re in charge.”

A small thrill went through me as he walked away. Mateo beamed at me. “He’s right you know.”

“I’m in charge.” I batted my eyelashes. “I know.”

“I’m gonna let you have that one. But he’s right. You’re family now.” He moved in closer to me, about to kiss me, when the bell rang. He paused an inch away from my lips and chuckled. “I can't get enough of you.”

“And I you.” I gave him a quick kiss, then opened the door.

“Trick or treattttt!” Susan, Gertie, and Sylvie yelled at the same time. They were dressed in onesies and seemed excited to just be here. Gertie was dressed as Winnie the Pooh, Sylvie was Tigger, and Susan was pretty in pink as Piglet.

Mateo laughed outright and threw goodie bags into each of their bags. When they didn’t leave, he looked at me. “Did I do something wrong?”

When they all looked at me, I laughed and shook my head. “They don’t want a treat.”

“Oh, um, I’m not sure I have a tri?—”

“Don’t Jimbo and Sal live here?” Sylvie raised her eyebrows at him.

“Um, yes?” His brow furrowed in confusion.

Gertie stepped inside followed by Susan and Sylvie. “Then don’t mind us.”

The second they passed through the threshold, they took their onesies off to reveal their black catsuits. They pulled utility belts from their candy bags and wrapped them around their waists. Mateo’s eyes widened. “I . . . um . . .”

“Better to just let it happen.” I patted him on the shoulder. “We’re family now, so they’re part of it.”

He turned toward them. “Second floor, fourth door on the left.”

When they left, he turned back toward me. “You know, I’m liking the sound of this whole family thing.”

“I do too.” I’d never felt so complete or so happy. With Mateo, anything was possible. My world had expanded by leaps and bounds. It was more than I could hope for, and deep down, I knew it was only going to be better. I gave him a smile and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Family.”